Latin Via Proverbs 128

I hope these notes will help you tackle this group of proverbs in Latin Via Proverbs. This group includes third conjugation verbs with first and second declension nouns.

Please note: to read the proverbs in Latin, you need to acquire a copy of the book from lulu.com! What I am providing here in the blog are notes to help people who are making their way through the book either in a Latin class or on their own. You can find more help at the LatinViaProverbs.com wiki website.

Group 128

1669. I break hard things with patience. (You can also find this with the neuter singular: durum frango patientia.)

1670. I consign the rest to luck. (You will find this in Ovid's Metamorphoses.)

1671. I trust in God and luck. (You can find this saying in Erasmus's Adagia, 3.8.96. You can also find this variant form: Deo et fortunae me committo, "I entrust myself to God and to luck.")

1672. You are writing in wind and water. (Compare a similar expression in Catullus.)

1673. You are gathering water in a sieve. (Compare a similar expression in Pliny's discussion of the Vestal virgins.) Aquam in cribro geris.

1674. You're pouring wine for a frog. (There is a parallel Greek saying in Apostolius.)

1675. You're looking for the wings on a wolf. (You can find this saying in Erasmus's Adagia, 1.4.81.)

1676. You're looking for wool from a donkey. (You can find this saying in Erasmsu's Adagia, 1.4.79.)

1677. You're making an elephant out of a fly. (You can find this saying in Erasmus's Adagia, 1.9.69.)

1678. You're weaving a rope from sand. (You can find this saying in Erasmus's Adagia, 1.4.78. )

1679. You're scattering pearls for pigs. (Compare the famous admonition in the Gospel of Matthew.)

1680. You're singing a song of triumph before the victory. (You can find a variant on this saying in Erasmus's Adagia, 1.7.55.) Ante victoriam canis triumphum.

1681. Droplets drill through stone. (There are many variants on this saying, including one found in the Book of Job: Lapides excavant aquae, "Water carves out stones.")

1682. Slowly grind the mills of the gods. (You can find this saying in Erasmus's Adagia, 4.4.82.)

1683. Even wasps make honeycombs. (Tertullian uses this saying in his treatise against Marcion.)

1684. Riches make the man. (Compare the similar saying, Vestia virum facit, "Clothes make the man.")

1685. Riches add many friends. (You will find this saying in the Biblical Book of Proverbs.)

1686. Wealth does not always come to the best. (You will find this saying in Erasmus's Adagia, 3.9.99.)

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This blog post is part of an evolving online guide for users of the book Latin Via Proverbs.

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